Image courtesy of IDAS

As a niche family law firm, the devastating effects of domestic abuse on victims are something Jones Myers sadly witnesses at first hand.

Our commitment to raising awareness of this major issue includes featuring topical articles and advice on our blog. We have also partnered with leading charity IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) to host a pioneering art installation which symbolised the 100 plus women killed every year in the UK by their current or ex-partner.

IDAS Chief Executive, Sarah Hill, explains how the effects of domestic abuse vary from person to person – and depend on each individual’s experience. She says the effects can become worse over time and can take a long time to recover from.

Emotional: The most common feature of living in an abusive relationship is suffering emotional or psychological abuse. The effects of this are extremely harmful.

Emotional abuse includes name calling, being constantly put down, having someone control what you do or what you wear, being isolated from friends and family, making you feel you are responsible for the abuse, criticising parenting, threatening family or friends, or making unreasonable demands.

Experiencing some, or all of, these things will have an effect on self-esteem and confidence levels, cause depression and feelings of worthlessness and can lead to eating disorders or psychosomatic illnesses.

Physical: Some people who are living in abusive relationships will never or rarely be victims of physical violence and some will experience it regularly.

Many people who experience physical violence live with painful injuries that go undiagnosed and sometimes they are prevented from seeking medical help. Research also shows that physical violence can escalate in a relationship. In extreme cases physical violence can lead to murder – two women a week are killed by a current or ex-partner.

It is important to remember that physical violence is only one indicator of domestic abuse and may not be the main feature of the abusive relationship.

Sexual: For many people living in a violent relationship, sexual abuse occurs on an occasional or regular basis. This can include rape, putting pressure on you to take part in things you don’t feel comfortable with and/or forcing you to have sex with other people. This can increase the chances of you contracting a sexually transmitted illness, cause physical injury and has serious emotional effects.

Other effects of living with domestic abuse can include suffering financial hardship, losing employment and potential homelessness. You can watch a video about the effects of domestic abuse here.

IDAS is the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. It is the first organisation in the UK to develop a free online Live Chat support for survivors. For more information, visit www.idas.org.uk 

For queries on any aspect of family law, call us at Leeds 0113 246 0055, Harrogate 01423 276104, or York 01904 202550. Visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 9^th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2022.

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Our Leeds and Harrogate offices are festooned with gifts to help light up Christmas for families who have been victims of domestic abuse and are now living in a local refuge.

Around twenty of our team pulled out the stops to provide presents for mothers and children who are supported by our partner IDAS.

The organisation is Yorkshire’s largest specialist charity whose services include refuge accommodation, community-based support, peer mentoring, group work and access to a free, confidential out-of-hours helpline.

The gifts include vouchers, food and confectionary along with seasonal parcels for children.IDAS business development manager, Rose Merritt, said: “Domestic abuse can intensity over the festive period which can be a challenging time for victims. Many people will have suffered financial abuse and may have little access to money – making this expensive time of year very difficult.

“Thanks to the support and generosity of firms like Jones Myers, the victims we support can relax a little and have a few treats at Christmas.”

During their stay at the refuges, IDAS helps families to overcome the effects of abuse and assists them with benefits, schools, legal issues and housing. Male victims are also supported in self-contained flats or houses in locations including Harrogate.

Jones Myers partnership with IDAS saw us host a pioneering art installation ‘In Her Shoes’ highlighting domestic abuse against women. The display features 100 pair of shoes to symbolically represent the 100 plus women killed every year in the UK by their current or ex-partners.

Created by visual artist Mim Robson, the installation’s centrepiece comprises a poem by poet Hannah Davies which was inspired by the words of domestic abuse and sexual violence survivors.

The installation, which has toured York Minster, Northallerton, Skipton and the Jones Myers Harrogate office at Windsor House, will be extended o more towns and cities in the New Year.

Each year IDAS (www.idas.org.uk) receives over 5,000 calls to its confidential helpline and provides direct support to more than 7,000 people.

For information about any aspect of family law, call Jones Myers at our Leeds office on 0113 246 0055, our Harrogate office on 01423 276104, visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce.

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Jones Myers is partnering with IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) to host a powerful and emotional art installation highlighting domestic abuse against women.

Marking the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the display, ‘In Her Shoes’ features 100 pair of shoes which symbolically represent the 100 plus women who are killed every year in the UK by their current or ex-partners.Jones Myers has donated shoes to support the art installation spearheaded by IDAS, the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire whose services include refuge accommodation, community-based support, peer mentoring, group work and access to a free, confidential out-of-hours helpline.

Jones Myers founder, Peter Jones, says: “As a specialist family law firm which witnesses the devastating effects of domestic abuse on victims, we’re keen to support this poignant and thought-provoking display which highlights the devastating impact of domestic abuse. We hope it will help to increase understanding and awareness of the issue.”

The installation will be launched in the South Piazza at York Minster on Tuesday 27 November from 9.00am until 5.00pm.

Jones Myers, whose Harrogate office is located at Windsor House, will host the display which will be located on the left of the entrance when approaching the front door on Friday, 30 November from 11.30am-5pm. The firm is also providing home-made cakes in Windsor House reception from 1.45pm to boost funds for IDAS.

Rose Merritt, IDAS business development manager, adds: “In Her Shoes is about raising awareness of the scale of domestic abuse by sharing the sad reality that 100 women die at the hand of their partner or ex-partner every year, a figure that is not decreasing.

“IDAS is very grateful to Hannah Davies, Mim Robson and our sponsors Jones Myers for supporting this moving tribute to the women who have lost their lives this year, we hope that seeing In Her Shoes will motivate people to find out more about how they can be part of a solution to end Domestic Violence.”

The installation will be displayed across a series of towns and cities across Yorkshire over the coming months. .

With over 40 years’ experience, IDAS has been at the forefront of developing new services such as being the first organisation in the UK to develop a free online Live Chat support for survivors. For more information on IDAS visit idas.org.uk.

For information about any aspect of family law, call Jones Myers at our Leeds office on 0113 246 0055, our Harrogate office on 01423 276104, visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

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